Ninety community groups receive Small Grants to welcome the New Year

More than $360,000 to boost rural, regional and remote communities

Bendigo, 16 January, 2017: FRRR today announced the successful recipients of grants from Round 30 of its flagship program, Small Grants for Rural Communities. More than $360,000 will be distributed to ninety community groups across six states and territories, in a welcome injection of cash at the beginning of a new year.

This unique grant program allows eligible not-for-profit community groups to access funds to support projects that deliver positive local education, environment, social welfare, community wellbeing, health, arts and culture outcomes.

FRRR’s National Programs Manager, Jeanice Henderson, says the program funds a wide variety of projects that are vital to engaging communities and creating connections that are integral to the fabric of rural community life, but many of the projects are to support improvements to community infrastructure.

“It’s been a common theme in the applications received in many recent rounds. From getting the power connected at the community hub in remote Wyndham in Western Australia to the installation of bench seating at the Wedderburn cemetery in Victoria, each project will have a significant impact on the public spaces in these communities,” she said.

Some of the other projects funded include:

amobile folding stage system for the Pomonal Community Hall in Victoria, improving its capacity to cater for a wide range of activities and meet community needs;

recladding and pest management for a shed at the Edithburgh Museum in South Australia, which houses historical materials, ensuring it is fit for purpose and that visitors have a pleasant experience with easy access to the exhibits;

a community training, education and engagement campaign to reduce further outbreaks and environmental damage caused by the invasive weed Koster’s Curse in Mareeba, Queensland;

installation of a disabled persons lift at Gove (Nhulunbuy) Airport in the Northern Territory, ensuring safe and dignified access for aircraft boarding and disembarkation; and

environmental incursions and excursions for pre-schoolers, supporting educational outcomes and increased knowledge of the natural bushland in Howling, New South Wales.

Small Grants for Rural Communities is a collaborative program, administered by FRRR and funded in this round by:

The next round of Small Grants for Rural Communities is currently open. Learn more and download the guidelines and application form on the Small Grants page of FRRR’s website. There are also links to case studies of previously funded projects. Applications close on 31 March 2017.

Installation of a compliant disabled access ramp at the only meeting place in Collector, providing safe and easier access for residents with mobility issues, increasing their sense of wellbeing through community interaction.

Collector

$4,500

Arts Council of the Dorrigo Inc

Musical Memories

Delivery of a music appreciation course for 50-60 senior residents, improving their quality of life and capacity to contribute to the community.

Dorrigo

$4,500

Dorrigo and Guy Fawkes Agricultural Assoc Inc

Going Undercover at Dorrigo Show

Purchase two new marquees for the Dorrigo Agricultural Show, increasing small business exposure and community connections.

Dorrigo

$5,000

Gloucester Worimi First Peoples Aboriginal Corporation

Minimbah Gardens Refurbishment

Construction of a concrete slab and purchase of table and seat setting, reinstating a contact point in Minimbah Gardens for cultural education and awareness in the community.

Gloucester

$4,800

Pappinbarra Progress Association

Mow and Grow Shed

The addition of an extra storage shed, providing safe, secure and adequate storage for the many items that help maintain Hollisdale Hall.

Expansion of sandpit and installation of a dry creek bed, bridge and Chinese water pump, enhancing early development of pre-schoolers.

Moree

$4,750

Moulamein Pre School Inc

Making Room for the Next Generation

The modification of a building and purchase of equipment to cater for younger children, assisting the establishment of a local child care facility to enable parents to return to work, boosting family income and wellbeing.

Moulamein

$5,000

Community-Owned Renewable Energy Mullumbimby

Running on Renewables for Community Resilience in Mullumbimby

Installation of a 5kW solar system at the Mullumbimby Museum, reducing future energy costs for the Brunswick Valley Historical Society.

Mullumbimby

$4,000

Murringo Community Assoc Inc

Come Visit a While

Refurbishment of three welcome signs to Murringo, creating a sense of identity in the community while branding it positively and enticing potential visitors.

Murringo

$696

Nashdale Public School P&C Assoc

Nashdale School Vegetable Garden Hydroponic and Water System

Installation of a hydroponic drip garden system in the Nashdale School vegetable garden, minimising water use and volunteer time and assisting in the viability of their vegetable garden project.

Providing improved lighting and power supply to the Raleigh Hall, increasing usage and comfort for hall users and the community.

Raleigh

$4,000

Tyalgum District Community Assoc Inc

Our Community News MATTERS!

Purchase of a colour A3 LaserJet printer, enabling the continuation of the community newsletter which helps the community stay informed and connected, reducing social isolation.

Tyalgum

$2,900

Milton Ulladulla Men's Shed Inc

In the Picture - Framing workshops

Purchase of framing equipment, facilitating skills-sharing amongst members and Essential Employment and Training clients, promoting higher self-esteem, a sense of accomplishment and stronger bonds between mentors and mentees.

Ulladulla

$1,872

Walgett School of Distance Education P&C Assoc

Isolated, Yet First Aid Educated

Providing first aid training for parents and supervisors of distance education, improving the health and wellbeing of remote-based students and their families.

Walgett

$4,988

Lions Club Warialda

Where Do You Live?

Putting house numbers on gutters, assisting emergency services to respond at times of distress.

Warialda

$2,364

White Cliffs Music Festival Inc

Without a Shadow of a Doubt, It Will Be Champion

Facilitation of workshops and performances from Greg Champion and The Black Shadows at the White Cliffs Music Festival, drawing more locals and tourists to the event, while teaching skills that would not normally be available to such a remote community.

White Cliffs

$3,500

Yeoval & District Men's Shed Incorporated

Fine Facilities for Yeoval

Installation of a disabled toilet and baby change-table in the new Yeoval & District Men’s Shed, providing accessibility to all members of the community.

Installation of a split system air conditioner, ensuring consistent and reliable climate control and a comfortable learning/play environment for the children and staff.

Benalla

$5,000

Swanpool & District Community Development Association Inc

Looking Forward at Lima

Undertake renovations at the Lima School Community Centre, ensuring that the historic building is safe, fit for purpose and is no longer subject to further deterioration.

Benalla

$4,500

Birchip Neighbourhood House (Birchip Telecentre Inc)

Birchip Community Copies

Purchase a commercial photocopier to meet the day to day operations and administrative needs of the Birchip Business and Learning Centre, other community groups and members of the local community.

Birchip

$4,800

Boho South Hall Committee

Making Life Easier in a Small Rural District

Erecting a storage shed, improving the amenity of the local hall by removing clutter and ensuring machinery and equipment is accessible and stored safely.

Boho South

$3,157

Boweya Community Inc

The Boweya Plan - Together We Can

Improvements to the exterior of the Boweya Community Hub, ensuring the building remains structurally safe and is an attractive place for community members to gather.

Boweya

$4,500

Camperdown Pastoral & Agricultural Society Inc

Raindrops Keep Falling on My Head

Replace the damaged roof on a Camperdown Showgrounds building which contains a commercial kitchen, ensuring the community has access to safe, fit for purpose catering facilities for community events and activities.

Camperdown

$4,800

Kathleen Millikan Centre P&F Inc

Paint Casterton REaD

Delivery of a suite of activities focussed on early childhood literacy and language development, improving the educational outcomes of children in Casterton and Merino.

Casterton

$3,319

UCA - Corryong Upper Murray Parish

Give Us Comfort

Purchase and installation of a reverse cycle air conditioner in the kitchen of the Corryong Upper Murray Parish Hall, making it more comfortable for users at all times of year.

Corryong

$3,395

Dunolly Preschool Inc

From Little Things, Big Things Grow

Develop a new Indigenous garden bed using some existing plants, enhancing the amenity of the facility and creating an opportunity for children to learn about native flora and fauna.

Dunolly

$1,000

Committee of Management of Dunrobin Public Hall and Reserve Inc

Extending Our Use-By Date

Renovation of kitchen facilities in the Dunrobin Hall, ensuring the community is able to cater for events and meetings that support community engagement and connection.

Dunrobin

$5,000

Falls Creek Historical Society Inc

Take a Walk on the Alpine Side

Development of a technology based heritage walk for the Falls Creek region that captures local stories, enhancing local sites of interest for locals and visitors to the area.

Falls Creek

$3,000

CFA - District 16

Little People PPC & Defib for Life

Equipment to support the delivery of fire safety sessions for school students, increasing preparedness for, and awareness of, what to do in emergency situations.

Great Western

$1,245

Hawkesdale Racecourse and Recreation Reserve

Sizzling Scenery

Renovation of part of an existing building to provide BBQ facilities, enhancing the ability of the Reserve to meet the needs of community members, user groups and visitors to the area.

Hawkesdale

$4,660

Hexham Community Association Inc

A Community Renovation Project for a Very Small Town

Installation of a BBQ facility, enabling the community to gather for social and recreational events and to raise funds for future projects.

Hexham

$3,448

Hordern Vale-Glen Aire Recreation Reserve Committee

The Clean Water Project: Keeping Community Connected

Purchase and installation of a water storage and harvesting system, ensuring the viability of the only community managed facility in the area.

Hordern Vale

$5,000

Art is Festival Inc

Encounter

Develop and present a new theatre work involving visiting and local artists, and teachers and children from local schools, providing arts and cultural experience not normally available in the local community.

Horsham

$4,800

Koroit Irish Festival Committee Inc

A Sign of the Times

Development of new signage for a major community event, increasing its visibility, levels of community participation and awareness about the town’s agricultural and cultural past.

Koroit

$4,500

The Trustee for the MAC Trust

Scan Me In

Purchase and installation of a bar code scanner and system, improving efficiency of the operation of the cinema including its support of young people and local community groups.

Mansfield

$2,866

Zoe Support Australia

Zoe Support Playgroup - Breaking Down Barriers to Social Inclusion and Engagement

Resources to deliver a supported playgroup for young mothers and their children, connecting them to opportunities which will improve their educational, social and health outcomes.

Mildura

$5,000

Mallee Family Care Inc

Earlier the Better Network - Focus on Early Years

Establish an early childhood development network, supporting workers to deliver more effective, targeted responses to community need and improving development outcomes for children in the 0 to 8 age bracket.

Mildura

$4,737

Nathalia and District Development Corporation Inc

Bardi Gras Frog Festival

Develop and present an Aboriginal Dreamtime story in both English and Yorta Yorta, increasing community awareness of local Indigenous culture and language, as well as environmental issues.

Nathalia

$2,899

Arapiles Historical Society Inc

Cosy, Cool, Comfort

Purchase and installation of a split system air-conditioner, creating a more comfortable environment for volunteers and visitors to work in and access resources, at the Natimuk Heritage Centre.

Natimuk

$4,220

Lions Club of Nhill Inc

Nhill Roars Opportunity Shop

Establishment of a Lions Club opportunity shop, generating income for community projects and ensuring disadvantaged members of the community have access to affordable clothing and household goods.

Nhill

$4,800

Numurkah District Health Service

Food for All - Community Wicking Beds

Construction and installation of wicking beds at key sites around the town, enabling local people to grow fresh vegetables and learn more about healthy eating.

Numurkah

$3,645

Nungurner Primary School

Bolder Bush Beats

Develop and present a public performance with local children exploring bushfire preparedness and the work of the CFA, increasing community knowledge and awareness of this aspect of life in regional Australia.

Nungurner

$4,300

Omeo District Health

Healthy Harvest

Purchase resources and materials for a community produce and information exchange, increasing understanding of the importance of eating healthy food and local capacity to grow fresh produce.

Omeo

$4,000

Goongerah Public Hall & Recreation Reserve Inc

A Home for Goongerah Good Foods

Purchase and installation of a shed for use by the local food co-operative, enabling them to operate more efficiently and to free up space in the community hall for the establishment of an office / communications hub.

Orbost

$4,800

Pomonal Progress Assoc Inc

The Vital Next Stage of Pomonal's New Hall

Purchase of a mobile folding stage system for the Pomonal Community Hall, improving its capacity to cater for a wide range of activities and meet community needs.

Pomonal

$5,000

Robinvale District Health Service

Well Read

Purchase of mental health related resources for a library to be established in Robinvale, supporting community education and an informed conversation about mental health issues which people may experience, either directly, or indirectly though family members or friends.

Robinvale

$3,500

Good Practice, Good Health Inc

Out of the Blue

Public performance of the play ‘Out of the Blue’, panel discussion and supper with health professionals, first responders and Lifeline volunteers available for informal discussions and follow up, supporting community mental health and suicide awareness.

Sale

$5,000

Wodonga Senior Secondary College

Sow and Grow Organic Garden Project

Establishment of an edible and sensory garden at the Seymour Flexible Learning Centre, promoting positive learning opportunities and outcomes for students who have been disengaged from education for significant periods.

Seymour

$4,406

East Wimmera Health Service

Em-(Ergency) Powering Vehicles

Purchase a custom-built trailer to house and transport an existing generator, increasing local capacity to respond in emergencies where power is lost or unavailable by other means.

St Arnaud

$4,780

Emu Recreation and Public Hall Reserve Committee of Management

Terminate the Termites - Stage 1

Treatment of termites and rectification of termite damage including re-stumping and repairs to the floor ensuring that the Hall remains available for community use.

St Arnaud

$4,500

St Paul's Catholic Social Club Inc

Mirboo North Italian Festa

Purchase of chairs for use at a community festival, contributing to the sustainability of the event and supporting community cohesion and tolerance through the celebration of cultural diversity.

Thorpdale

$2,000

Lions Club of Wedderburn Inc

Grave Concern

Install bench seats in the local cemetery as part of a beautification project, providing an appropriate and peaceful environment for community members and relations to experience when visiting this important local facility.